Pipe organ (Tubipora musica)

[lancer99]

Pipe organ is one of my favorite corals...one of the two softies that build a skeleton!

When I first got mine about 1-1/2 years ago, it looked like this:

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii249/spoon99/new%20aquarium%20pics/DSCN7238tubipora.jpg

Now it looks like this:

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii249/spoon99/IMG_5876tubiporatop.jpg

It has grown outwards from the top of its skeleton in all directions:

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii249/spoon99/IMG_5891tubiporalside.jpg



http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii249/spoon99/IMG_5797tubiporarside.jpg


Unfortunately that means it looks kind of silly when seen from below, kind of like a mushroom :)

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii249/spoon99/IMG_5882tubiporamushroomall.jpg

Its skeleton has been colonized by all kinds of organisms including mini-brittle stars and sponges:
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii249/spoon99/IMG_5899tubiporasponges.jpg

and most obviously, tunicates!

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii249/spoon99/IMG_5810tubiporatunicates.jpg

Sorry for the changing colors. Even when I set the white balance manually, my cam seems to have a mind of its own. But this one seems fairly accurate:

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii249/spoon99/IMG_5895tubiporapolyps.jpg

Cheers,
-R

[evojoe67]

I just bought my first Pipe Organ frag from Harrys. Had it about 2 or 3 days but only 2 or 3 buds have come out.
How long do they take to adjust and what type of lighting do they like?I've got mine towards the bottom under 96 watts 50/50 flourescents in a 29 gallon tank.

[Lotus99]

Awesome! I find mine grows pretty fast. I don't notice it growing, but one day I look at it and it's huge. I've accidentally fragged mine many times.

I find they do well in most lighting. I've had mine in high and lower lighting.

[robot2222]

i have a green pipe organ it looks like a tennis ball. how do you frag them.